Lawmakers Take 1st Step Toward Impeaching Federal Judge Samuel Kent
Sentenced yesterday to 33 months in federal prison for obstruction of justice in a case related to alleged sexual abuse of courthouse employees, a federal judge was in new trouble today.
Following through on an earlier threat to seek his impeachment if U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent didn’t resign his lifetime appointment, two senior congressional lawmakers filed a resolution today calling for the House Judiciary Committee to open an investigation, reports the Associated Press and the Blog of Legal Times.
The two lawmakers are Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who chairs the committee, and Lamar Smith (R-Texas), its ranking Republican member.
A copy of the resolution (PDF) is provided by the Blog of Legal Times.
The judiciary committee could begin considering whether to open an investigation as early as tomorrow, the BLT notes.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “33-Month Sentence for Federal Judge Samuel Kent in Obstruction Case”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge Kent Apologizes to His Family, But Not Claimed Sexual Abuse Victims”
Houston Chronicle: “Kent’s punishment brings vindication to victim”
Hair Balls (Houston Press): “The Statement Of The Woman Who Brought Down Judge Kent”
